Nasal spray to treat autism has researchers optimistic

4:51 AM,
Jul. 14, 2013

Written by

Caleb Whitmer
| The Tennessean

Researchers are developing autism treatments that incorporate oxytocin, a naturally produced hormone best known for its role in pregnancy. So far, the results have been encouraging.

No proven medication treatment exists for autism, said Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele, division director of child and adolescent psychiatry at Vanderbilt. But research on oxytocin, which also affects social skills, has returned some interesting results and it is beginning to be used for treatment.

The body adapts oxytocin for different functions. Important for autism therapy is its effect on the ...